Paolo Sebastian to bring glamour to the Art Gallery of South Australia

A special exhibition at the Art Gallery of South Australia from October will commemorate 10 years of high-profile Adelaide couture house Paolo Sebastian.

The free exhibition, Paolo Sebastian: X will be held at the Gallery from October 7 until December 10. It is a collaboration with the Adelaide Fashion Festival presented by Mercedes-Benz Adelaide and is proudly presented by Yalumba Family Vignerons.

Fashion installations interspersed throughout the Melrose Wing will celebrate the glamour and luxury of couture gowns by designer and 2017 Young Australian of the Year Paul Vasileff, in conversation with the Gallery’s historic European paintings and sculptures.

“It is an incredible honour, but also a wonderful chance, not only for myself, but for everyone to see how the brand has evolved over these past 10 years,” Vasileff said.

“I see couture as an art form as it takes an enormous amount of time, skill and technique to create couture as does any piece of art.”

Paolo Sebastian’s signature is delicate hand embroidery, intricate beading and a modern homage to the tradition of couture.

Vasileff’s designs have been seen on the red carpet at the Academy Awards and Golden Globes, and worn by international style icon Kim Kardashian-West in Vogue Australia.

“I’m so grateful for these past 10 years and they have been so memorable and fun; although challenging at times it’s all been an integral part of the journey and I wouldn’t change a thing,” he said.

An exclusive black-tie cocktail party will be held to unveil the exhibition on October 4, with limited tickets available to the public. Tickets are on sale now.

The Art Gallery of South Australia will also host two Q&A sessions to explore the connection between fashion, couture and art.

Gallery Director Nick Mitzevich and Vasileff will present First Fridays on October 6, while Decorative Arts Curator Rebecca Evans and Adelaide Fashion Festival creative director Chris Kontos will discuss the exhibition on October 10.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Gallery to present this unique exhibition, one that we are sure will be loved by the public who have embraced Paolo Sebastian designs for 10 years,” Kontos said.

“To see gowns from the exquisite Paolo Sebastian archive alongside iconic European art will give us all the opportunity to appreciate timeless glamour and beauty.”

The Gallery has also launched its Fashion Fund, an initiative dedicated to acquiring the most exciting and innovative examples of international and Australian fashion.

“This exhibition is timely for the Gallery as we embark on a renewed focus on fashion in the collection with the launch of a new Fashion Fund,” Mitzevich said.

Tickets for Paolo Sebastian: X presented by Yalumba Family Vignerons – The Unveiling can be purchased here.

The full Adelaide Fashion Festival program will be released on Tuesday 8 August. Two runway shows featuring all South Australian brands have already been released: